Berry In Search of Fifth Minnesota Senior Open Title in Six Years

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org


  MEDINA, Minn. – A string of three birdies over his final four holes Monday contributed to a round of 5-under par 67 for Don Berry Monday take the early lead at the 2017 Minnesota Senior Open at Baker National Golf Club.

Berry, who won four consecutive championships from 2012 to 2015, will enter Tuesday’s final round with a one-shot advantage over Mike Flaherty.

“I played good today, finally,” Berry said Monday. “I haven’t played well yet this year, but I felt that my best play was coming. I just played real solid all day. I think I only missed two greens out there.”

Starting quickly off the tenth tee with back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th holes, Berry quickly jumped to 2-under before giving back a stroke at the 12th with a bogey. Birdies at the 16th and 18th put Berry at 3-under heading to his final nine.

A bogey at the par-4 third put Berry back to 2-under but he would finish with a flurry of birdies at the sixth, eighth and ninth to finish ahead of the field by one shot with a opening-round 67.

Flaherty started quickly by sinking his birdie chance on the opening hole Monday, but fell back to even with a bogey at the third. He rattled off three birdies over his next holes to turn at 3-under.

A quick birdie at the par-5 10th hole moved Flaherty to 4-under but he would stumble at the par-5 13th, carding bogey but recovered with a birdie at the 15th to finish the day one shot behind Berry.

“Everything was working today,” Flaherty said Monday. “I only had one bad tee shot that came on the par-5 13th that led to a bogey. That was my only mistake.”

Amateurs Dave Steingart and Scott Holt join professional Dave Nordeen at 1-under par 71 following the opening round and will begin Tuesday’s final round four shots back of Berry.

The final round of the 2017 Minnesota Senior Open is slated to get underway at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Baker National Golf Club.



2017 MINNESOTA SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
BAKER NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
MEDINA, MINN.
6,660 YARDS, PAR 72


MONDAY’S RESULTS
1. Don Berry, Edinburgh USA, 34-33—67
2. Mike Flaherty, Dakota Pines GC, 33-35—68
T3. Dave Steingart, Edina CC, 35-36—71
T3. Scott Holt, Pebble Creek GC, 35-36—71
T3. Dave Nordeen, Somerby GC, 34-37—71
T6. Greg Murphy, Keller GC, 37-35—72
T6. Pat Vincelli, Brackett’s Crossing CC, 35-37—72
T8. Bob Neuberger, Rush Creek GC, 36-37—73
T8. David Rehfeldt, StoneRidge GC, 38-35—73
T8. Thomas Vizina, Oaks GC, 36-37—73
T8. Craig Brischke, 38-35—73


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpga17/event/mnpga1715/contest/17/leaderboard.htm